Absorbent sheet products and method for folding same

ABSTRACT

A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products comprising a plurality of absorbent sheets and a method of folding and stacking the same. Each one of the absorbent sheets is folded twice about a first axis to define two inwardly folded inner panels and at least once about a second axis to define at least two outer panels sandwiching the inner panels therebetween. The second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, Each of the absorbent sheet products comprises at least one outer panel at least partially sandwiched between a pair of outer panels of an adjacent one of the absorbent sheet products of the stack. Each one of the absorbent sheet products is entirely detached from all other absorbent sheet products of the stack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S.provisional patent application 61/448,219 filed on Mar. 2, 2011, thespecification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of absorbent sheet products.More particularly, it relates to an absorbent sheet product, a method offolding and stacking absorbent sheets and a stack of absorbent sheetproducts.

BACKGROUND

Folded absorbent sheet products commonly found on the market, which aremanufactured to be released via a dispenser, are mostly single foldedsheets or of the type commonly referred to as “half-folded” tissues. Thelimited thickness and volume of such products often leads to a limitedabsorbency of the tissue and requires the product to be subsequentlyfolded or crumpled by the user in order to achieve the desiredabsorbency or softness. As a result, users often take more than onesingle folded tissue at a time, assessing beforehand that theirabsorbing ability, and corresponding overall quality, is comparativelylow. In such a case the use of single folded tissues leads to excessivewaste of the product.

In view of the above, there is a need for an improved absorbent sheetproduct, a method of folding and stacking absorbent sheets and a stackof the absorbent sheet product which would be able to overcome or atleast minimize some of the above-discussed prior art concerns.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address the abovementioned issues.

According to a first general aspect, there is provided a stack ofinterfolded absorbent sheet products. The stack comprises a plurality ofabsorbent sheets having an inner face and an opposed outer face. Each ofthe absorbent sheets comprises a first folding edge and a second foldingedge extending substantially parallel to one another and definingrespectively a first inner panel and a second inner panel. Each of theabsorbent sheets is folded inwardly along the first and second foldingedges towards the inner face. Each of the absorbent sheets alsocomprises a third folding edge extending substantially perpendicular tothe first and second folding edges and defining a first outer panel anda second outer panel. Each of the absorbent sheets is folded along thethird folding edge such that the first and the second inner panels areinwardly facing. Moreover, at least one of the first and the secondouter panels is at least partially inserted between the first and thesecond outer panels of an adjacent one of the absorbent sheet productsof the stack.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a stack ofinterfolded absorbent sheet products comprising a plurality of absorbentsheets. Each one of the absorbent sheets is folded twice about a firstaxis to define two inwardly folded inner panels and at least once abouta second axis to define at least two outer panels sandwiching the innerpanels therebetween. The second axis is substantially perpendicular tothe first axis. Each of the absorbent sheet products comprises at leastone outer panel at least partially sandwiched between a pair of outerpanels of an adjacent one of the absorbent sheet products of the stack.Each one of the absorbent sheet products is entirely detached from allother absorbent sheet products of the stack.

According to yet another aspect, there is also provided a method ofstacking a plurality of absorbent sheet products into a stack. Themethod comprises, for each of the absorbent sheet products of the stack,firstly, folding an absorbent sheet inwardly along a first folding lineto form a first inner panel; secondly, folding the absorbent sheetinwardly along a second folding line substantially parallel to the firstfolding line to form a second inner panel; thirdly folding the absorbentsheet along a third folding line substantially perpendicular to thefirst and second folding lines to form a first outer panel and a secondouter panel, sandwiching the first and second inner panels therebetween,to obtain one of the absorbent sheet products; and finally, inserting atleast a section of at least one of the first and the second outer panelsof each one of the absorbent sheet products between the first and secondouter panels of an adjacent one of absorbent sheet products of thestack.

In an embodiment, the absorbent sheet is folded along the first and thesecond folding lines concurrently. In an alternative embodiment, theabsorbent sheet is folded along the first and the second folding linessequentially.

In alternative embodiments, the inner panels can be configured to haveseveral configurations, such as, without being limitative, a spacedapart configuration, a partially overlapping configuration or acompletely overlapping configuration.

In alternative embodiments, the outer panels can be configured such thattheir lengths are either similar or different.

In alternative embodiments, a fourth folding edge substantially parallelto the third folding edge may be provided to form a third outer panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictivedescription of embodiments thereof, given for the purpose ofexemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent sheet product in accordancewith a first embodiment where the absorbent sheet product has two outerpanels of similar length and a gap is provided between a first innerpanel and a second inner panel, and shown in a semi-foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment where the outer panels are ofsimilar length and the inner panels overlap partially, and shown in asemi-folded configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment where the outer panels are ofsimilar length and an outer edge of the second inner panel is contiguouswith a first folding edge of the first inner panel, and shown in asemi-folded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment where the outer panels are ofsimilar length and the inner panels overlap entirely, and shown in asemi-folded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the absorbent sheet products shown in FIGS. 1to 4, and shown in a folded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet products shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in accordance with an embodimentwherein the absorbent sheet products are stacked in an interfoldedconfiguration.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment where the outer panels are ofdifferent lengths and a gap is provided between the inner panels, andshown in a semi-folded configuration.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment where the outer panels are ofdifferent lengths and the inner panels overlap partially, and shown in asemi-folded configuration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment where the outer panels are ofdifferent lengths and an outer edge of the second inner panel iscontiguous with a first folding edge of the first inner panel, and shownin a semi-folded configuration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment where the outer panels are ofdifferent lengths and the inner panels overlap entirely, and shown in asemi-folded configuration.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the absorbent sheet product of FIG. 7,shown in a folded configuration.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the folded absorbent sheet products of FIGS. 7to 10, and shown in a folded configuration.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the absorbent sheet product in accordance withan alternative embodiment wherein the absorbent sheet product has athird outer panel folded towards a second one of the outer panels, suchthat a gap is provided between the second outer panel and the thirdouter panel, and shown in a folded configuration.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the absorbent sheet product in accordance withan alternative embodiment wherein the third outer panel is folded overthe second outer panel, such that the third outer panel partiallyoverlaps the second outer panel, and shown in a folded configuration.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the absorbent sheet product in accordance withan alternative embodiment wherein the third outer panel is folded overthe second outer panel, such that the third outer panel entirelyoverlaps the second outer panel, and shown in a folded configuration.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the absorbent sheet product in accordance withan alternative embodiment wherein the third outer panel is foldedtowards a first one of the outer panels such that the third outer panelpartially overlaps the first outer panel, and shown in a foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the absorbent sheet product in accordance withan alternative embodiment wherein the third outer panel is foldedtowards the first outer panel such that the third outer panel entirelyoverlaps the first outer panel, and shown in a folded configuration.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet products shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, in accordance with an embodimentwhere the outer panel of greater length is upward and the outer panel oflesser length is downward.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet products shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, in accordance with an embodimentwhere the outer panel of lesser length is upward and the outer panel ofgreater length is downward.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet product shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with an embodiment whereinthe absorbent sheet products are stacked in an interfoldedconfiguration.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet product shown in FIG. 16, in accordance with an embodiment whereinthe absorbent sheet products are stacked in an interfoldedconfiguration.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet products of FIGS. 1 to 5, in accordance with an embodiment whereinthe absorbent sheet products are stacked one over the other.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet products of FIGS. 7 to 12, in accordance with an embodimentwherein the absorbent sheet products are stacked one over the other, theouter panel of lesser length being upward and the outer panel of greaterlength being downward.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a stack of a plurality of the folded absorbentsheet products of FIGS. 7 to 12, in accordance with an embodimentwherein the absorbent sheet products are stacked one over the other, theouter panel of greater length being upward and the outer panel of lesserlength being downward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, the same numerical references refer tosimilar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materialsmentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in thepresent description are embodiments only, given solely forexemplification purposes.

Moreover, although the embodiments of folded absorbent sheet products,method of folding and stacking the same, and stack of the absorbentsheet product consist of certain geometrical configurations as explainedand illustrated herein, not all of the components and geometries areessential to the invention and thus should not be taken in theirrestrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a personskilled in the art, that other suitable geometrical configurations maybe used for the absorbent sheet product, as will be briefly explainedherein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in theart. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions suchas “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below”, “left”, “right” and the likeshould, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of thefigures and should not be considered limiting.

In the context of the present document, the term “absorbent sheet”should be understood to mean any absorbent product provided in the formof a sheet such as, without being limitative, facial tissue, towels,napkins, hankies, wet wipes, paper napkins, or the like, and providedwith or without printed or embossed pattern. The type of material usedfor the absorbent sheet should be understood to comprise any type ofpredominantly cellulosic material. However, the term “absorbent sheet”is not limited to paper products such as paper napkins and towels, butcan also comprise absorbent nonwoven materials not normally classed aspapers or tissues. These nonwoven materials can include pure and hybridnonwovens webs with similar properties to those of tissue paper. Thesenonwoven webs can be based for instance on nonwoven or airlaid materialscontaining low amounts of synthetic fibers, binders, wet strength agentsand the like. The absorbent sheet can have a printed pattern or anembossed pattern on one or both faces as it is known in the art.

Similarly, the term “absorbent sheet product” refers to an absorbentsheet in its folded configuration, according to the differentembodiments and variants described below. In other words, the term“absorbent sheet” refers to the sheet of absorbent material in theunfolded state, while the term “absorbent sheet product” refers to thefolded product resulting from the folding of an absorbent sheet.

In a non-limitative embodiment, the folded absorbent sheet productsinclude single ply or multiple plies paper napkins having a basis weightranging from about 8 to 35 pounds (lbs) per 3000 square feet.

Referring generally to FIG. 1, there is provided an absorbent sheetproduct 30 shown in a semi-folded configuration. The absorbent sheetproduct 30 includes a first folding edge 33 and a second folding edge 34along a first axis 39. The first folding edge 33 is parallel to thesecond folding edge 34, but spaced-apart from one another. One skilledin the art will understand that in the context of the presentapplication the term “parallel” should not be interpreted to mean thatthe first 33 and the second 34 folding edges need to be perfectlyparallel to one another. In contrast, one of the folding edges 33, 34may have a slight angle that diverges from a perfectly parallelconfiguration.

More particularly, the absorbent sheet is folded along the first 33 andsecond 34 folding edges in order to form a first inner panel 31 and asecond inner panel 32, folded inside the absorbent sheet product 30 inthe semi-folded configuration and the folded configuration. The first 31and second 32 inner panels are folded inwardly towards one another, on asame side of the absorbent sheet product generally referred to as theinner face, thereby resulting in a “C-fold” configuration. The faceopposite the inner face is referred to as the outer face. The first 31and second 32 inner panels result in an increase of the overall volumeof the folded absorbent sheet product and in the thickness of the foldedabsorbent sheet product 30, in the sections covered by the first 31 andsecond 32 inner panels.

The absorbent sheet product 30 additionally includes a third foldingedge 38 perpendicular to the first 33 and second 34 folding edges, alonga second axis 49, along which the width of the first and second innerpanels is measured. Once again, one skilled in the art will understandthat in the context of the present application the term “perpendicular”should not be interpreted to mean that the third folding edge 38 needsto be perfectly perpendicular to the first 33 and the second 34 foldingedges. In contrast, the third folding edge may have a slight angle thatdiverges from a perfectly perpendicular configuration.

The third folding edge 38 divides the absorbent sheet product 30 intotwo sections forming a first outer panel 36 and a second outer panel 37.Each one of the first 36 and second 37 outer panels comprises a sectionof the first 31 and second 32 inner panels on one side and a continuousflat face 44 on the other side. The absorbent sheet product 30 is foldedalong the third folding edge 38 such that the sections of the innerpanels 31, 32 face inward, and that the continuous flat faces 44 of thefirst 36 and second 37 outer panels 36 face outward. In other words,when the outer panels 36, 37 are folded, a section of the first 31 andsecond 32 inner panels of the first outer panel 36 faces a respectivesection of the first 31 and second 32 inner panels of the second outerpanel 37.

Folding along the third folding edge 38 additionally increases thevolume and thickness of the folded absorbent sheet product 30, as thethird folding edge 38 provides double folding of the first folding edge33 and of the second folding edge 34. In other words, along sectionsthereof, the thickness of folded absorbent sheet product 30 is fourtimes the thickness of the unfolded absorbent sheet product 30.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a gap 35 is provided between thefirst inner panel 31 and the second inner panel 32, i.e. free outeredges of the first 31 and second 32 inner panels are spaced-apart fromone another. The free outer edges are the edges of the original unfoldabsorbent sheet extending along the axis 39 which are brought inwardlyby the inward folding of the first and second inner panels. The width ofthe gap 35 can be varied. Such a configuration of the first 31 andsecond 32 inner panels provides a partial additional layer of absorbentsheet product 30 thus increasing thickness, volume and absorbency of thefolded absorbent sheet product 30.

However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that several alternativeembodiments are foreseen.

In a first alternative embodiment (not shown), the first inner panel 31and second inner panel 32 may also have no gap 35 between them, i.e. thefree outer edges of the first 31 and second 32 inner panels arecontiguous, both free outer edges sharing a common border. For thispurpose the first inner panel 31 may be configured to meet the secondinner panel 32 at an interface of the two panels. Such configuration ofthe first panel 31 and second panel 32 provides an additional continuouslayer of absorbent sheet product 30, thus also further increasingthickness of the folded absorbent sheet product 30.

For instance, FIGS. 2 to 4 show alternative embodiments to the foldingshown in FIG. 1 wherein the first 31 and second 32 inner panels presentdifferent configurations.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 3, in an embodiment the first 31 and second32 inner panels can be configured such that they overlap partially (asshown in FIG. 2), i.e. a section of one of the first 31 and second 32inner panels extend over the other one of the first 31 and second 32inner panels. Alternatively, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, thefirst 31 and second 32 inner panels are configured such that the secondinner panel 32 overlaps the entire first inner panel 31, while the firstinner panel 31 overlaps the second inner panel 32 only partially. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second inner panel 32 extends from thesecond folding edge 34 to the first folding edge 33, the free outer edgeof the second inner panel 32 being contiguous to the first folding edge33. One skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternativeembodiment (not shown), the free outer edge of the second inner panel 32can extend beyond the first folding edge 33, i.e. the second inner panel32 extends past the first inner panel 31. Moreover, it will be apparentto one skilled in the art that the first and second panel could beinverted such that the first inner panel 31 overlaps the entire secondinner panel 32, while the second inner panel 32 overlaps the first innerpanel 31 only partially. Such a configuration of the first inner panel31 and second inner panel 32 provides additional partial layers ofabsorbent sheet product 30, thus increasing the thickness and volume ofthe folded absorbent sheet product 30.

Now referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the first 31 and second32 inner panels can be configured such that they overlap each otherentirely. In this embodiment, the first inner panel 31 extends from thefirst folding edge 33 to the second folding edge 34 and the second innerpanel 32 extends from the second folding edge 34 to the first foldingedge 33. One skilled in the art will understand that the first 31 orsecond 32 inner panels could alternatively extend beyond the oppositefolding edge, depending on which inner panel is folded over the other.For example, if the second inner panel 32 is folded over the first innerpanel 31, it would be possible for the second inner panel 32 to extendbeyond the first folding edge 33, while if the first inner panel 31 isfolded over the second inner panel 32, it would be possible for thefirst inner panel 31 to extend beyond the second folding edge 34. Such aconfiguration of the first inner panel 31 and the second inner panel 32provides two additional layers of absorbent sheet product 30, thus evenfurther increasing the thickness and volume of the folded absorbentsheet product 30.

Whenever the first 31 and second 32 inner panels overlap at leastpartially, the folded absorbent sheet product 30 comprises two insidepockets 43 between the overlapping inner panels 31, 32 and thecontinuous flat face 44. The inside pockets may be suitable forinsertion and holding of small objects, such as, without beinglimitative flatware (forks, knifes, spoons), placement cards, menucards, wedding gifts or the like.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the third folding edge bisectsthe absorbent sheet product 30 into two sections of a substantiallysimilar length defined about the first axis 39. This results in the topedges 46, 47 of the outer panels 36 and 37 being contiguous. However, asit will be detailed below, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatin alternative embodiments, a gap can be provided between the top edges46, 47 of the outer panels 36 and 37.

More particularly, referring to FIGS. 7 to 11, there is shownalternative embodiments wherein the third folding edge 38 divides theabsorbent sheet product 30 into two outer panels 36, 37 of differentlengths. Different lengths of the first 36 and second 37 outer panelsresult in the top edges 46, 47 of the outer panels 36, 37 being distalfrom one another and a gap 41 is provided between the two top edges 46,47. Once again, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the relativelength of the two outer panels 36, 37 can vary.

FIGS. 7 to 11 present alternative embodiments where the configuration ofthe first 31 and second 32 inner panels correspond to the abovedescribed embodiment, but where the position of the third folding edge28 is selected to provide first 36 and second 37 outer panels withdifferent lengths. FIGS. 7 and 11 present an embodiment where the first31 and second 32 inner panels are configured with a gap 35 in between.FIGS. 8 and 9 present an embodiment where the first 31 and second 32inner panels are configured to overlap at least partially and FIG. 10presents an embodiment where the first 31 and second 32 inner panels areconfigured to overlap entirely. All of the above-mentioned variationsconcerning the possible configurations of the first 31 and second 32inner panels apply to the embodiments where the outer panels 36, 37 areof different or similar lengths.

It will be understood that the thickness and volume of the foldedabsorbent sheet product 30 will be greater in the section 40 where theouter panels 36, 37 overlap, than in the section 41 above the top edge47 of the shorter outer panel 37, where only a portion of the outerpanel 36 having the greater length extends. Consequently, the section 40where the outer panels 36, 37 overlap, will be referred hereinafter asthe section of greater thickness, and the section, above the top edge 47of the shorter outer panel 37, where only a portion of the outer panel36 having the greater length extends, will be referred hereinafter asthe section 41 of lesser thickness. One skilled in the art, will easilyunderstand that even though, in the illustrated embodiment, the firstouter panel 36 is the outer panel having the greater length, inalternative embodiments, the second outer panel 37 could be the panelhaving the greater length.

Now referring to FIGS. 13 to 17, there is shown alternative embodimentswherein the folded absorbent sheet product 30 is provided with a fourthfolding edge 48 perpendicular to the first 33 and second 34 foldingedges, i.e. it extends substantially parallel to the second axis 49.Once again, one skilled in the art will understand that in the contextof the present application the term “perpendicular” should not beinterpreted to mean that the fourth folding edge 48 needs to beperfectly perpendicular to the first 33 and the second 34 folding edges,and that the fourth folding edge 48 may have a slight angle that divergefrom a perfectly perpendicular configuration. One skilled in the artwill also understand that the perpendicularity of the fourth foldingedge 48 with the first 33 and second 34 folding edge results in thefourth folding edge being parallel to the third folding edge.

The fourth folding edge 48 forms a third outer panel 70 into the sectionof lesser thickness 41. As can be seen in the embodiments shown in FIGS.13 to 17, the third outer panel 70 is folded towards the outer panel ofshorter length 37 in a spaced-apart configuration (embodiment shown inFIG. 13), a partial overlapping configuration (embodiment shown in FIG.14) or a complete overlapping configuration (embodiment shown in FIG.15). In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the fourth foldingedge 48 is substantially contiguous to the top edge 47 of the shorterouter panel 37. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that theposition of the fourth folding edge 48 along the section of lesserthickness 41 can vary. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13,the position of the fourth folding edge 48 along the section of lesserthickness 41 can also vary.

In other possible embodiments, the third outer panel 70 may be foldedtowards the outer panel of greater length 36 in a partial overlappingconfiguration (embodiment shown in FIG. 16) or a complete overlappingconfiguration (embodiment shown in FIG. 17). The third outer panel 70uses the section of lesser thickness 41 to either increase the volumeand thickness of the folded absorbent sheet product 30 in a particularsection thereof or to increase the volume and thickness of the overallfolded absorbent sheet product 30. Once again, one skilled in the artwill easily understand that even though, in the illustrated embodiments,the first outer panel 36 is the outer panel having the greater length,in alternative embodiments, the second outer panel 37 could be the panelhaving the greater length. Alternatively, the third outer panel 70 couldalso be formed outside of the section of lesser thickness 41 (i.e. inthe section 40 where the first and the second outer panels 36, 37overlap), in the outer panel of greater length or the outer panel oflesser length. In another alternative embodiment, multiples additionalpanels could also be formed.

In an embodiment a plurality of folded absorbent sheet products 30 suchas the ones described in the above-described embodiments may be stackedonto one another to form a stack 50.

Now referring to FIG. 6, a stack 50 of absorbent sheet products 30having outer panels of a similar length is shown. The stack 50 is formedof a plurality of absorbent sheet products 30 being stacked onto oneanother in an interfold configuration, i.e. at each fold an outer panelof the previous sheet and an outer panel of the next sheet engage witheach other. This way, when drawing a sheet from the package, a panel ofthe next sheet protrudes with subsequent practical employment forcertain types of users. Interfolded sheets, such as, and without beinglimitative, napkins, are sheets of materials arranged in a stack ofsuperposed sheets which are each folded at least once. The sheets areinterlinked in such a way that the separate folded sheets of materialform a chain of sheets where each sheet has a leading panel and atrailing panel, the trailing panel being at least partly overlapped withthe leading panel of the subsequent sheet in the stack. In this manner,the individual sheets are held loosely together by means of frictionalforces arising between the overlapping parts. The sheets may bedispensed from a dispenser by pulling at the leading panel of the firstsheet in the stack. In this manner, the first material sheet isextracted at the same time as a predetermined part of the leading panelof a subsequent material sheet is fed into a dispensing position in thedispenser.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the interfold configuration of thestack 50 is provided by the first outer panel 36 of one absorbent sheetproduct 30 being located between the first 36 and second 37 outer panelsof each corresponding adjacent absorbent sheet product 30 of the stack50. In other words, unless the absorbent sheet product is at the top orthe bottom of the stack, it has a first outer panel 36 located betweenthe first 36 and second 37 outer panels of an adjacent absorbent sheetproduct 30 located immediately above it in the stack, and a second outerpanel 37 located between the first 36 and second 37 outer panels of anadjacent absorbent sheet product 30 located immediately below it in thestack, or vice-versa. The top and bottom absorbent sheet products 30 ofthe stack 50 only present one outer panel interfolded with the adjacentabsorbent sheet product 30 located immediately below (in the case of theabsorbent sheet product 30 located on top of the stack) and the adjacentabsorbent sheet product 30 located immediately above (in the case of theabsorbent sheet product 30 located at the bottom of the stack).Moreover, the third folding edge 38 of each adjacent absorbent sheetproduct 30 of the stack 50 faces a direction opposite that of theabsorbent sheet product 30 located immediately above and below.

FIG. 22 shows a stack 50 of absorbent sheet products 30 having outerpanels of similar lengths, and simply stacked on top of each other. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the absorbent sheet products 30 are stackedwith their third folding edge 38 facing the same direction. However oneskilled in the art will easily understand that other embodiments wherethe third folding edge 38 of the absorbent sheet products 30 faceopposite direction alternatively, or according to any other patternthereof, could be provided.

Now referring to FIGS. 18 to 21, in alternative embodiments, a pluralityof absorbent sheet products 30 having outer panels of different lengthsmay also be stacked into a stack 50, in an interfold configuration. Ascan be seen in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, theabsorbent sheet products 30 having outer panels of different lengths maybe stacked in an interfold configuration with the outer panel of lesserlength on top (as shown in FIG. 18) or at the bottom (as shown in FIG.19). In embodiments where an a third outer panel 70 is provided, theabsorbent sheet products 30 may be stacked in an interfold configurationwith the third outer panel 70 on top (as shown in FIG. 21) or at thebottom (as shown in FIG. 20). One skilled in the art will understandthat any configuration of absorbent sheet products 30 with a third outerpanel 70 may be stacked in an interfold configuration and thatinterfolded stacking is not limited to the illustrated configurations ofstacks of absorbent sheet products 30. Moreover, it will be understoodthat even though in the illustrated embodiments, the absorbent sheetproducts 30 are stacked with the outer panel of lesser length, or thethird outer panel 70, always at the top or the bottom, in alternativeembodiment, the positioning of the outer panel of lesser length, or thethird outer panel 70, may alternate according to any predefinedsequence.

Each one of FIGS. 23 and 24 show a stack 50 of absorbent sheet products30 having outer panels of different lengths, and simply stacked on topof each other. In the embodiment of FIG. 23, the absorbent sheetproducts 30 are stacked with the outer panel of lesser length upward andthe outer panel of greater length downward. In contrast, in theembodiment of FIG. 24, the absorbent sheet products 30 are stacked withthe outer panel of lesser length downward and the outer panel of greaterlength upward. Once again, even though in the illustrated embodiment theabsorbent sheet products 30 are stacked with their third folding edge 38facing the same direction, one skilled in the art will understand thatother embodiments where the third folding edge 38 of the absorbent sheetproducts 30 face opposite direction alternatively, or according to anyother pattern thereof, could be provided.

It will be understood that in the above described interfolded stack,each outer panel that is interfolded between the first and second outerpanel of an adjacent absorbent sheet product 30 need not be completelyinserted therein, i.e. until a top edge 46 or 47 reaches the thirdfolding edge 38 of the adjacent absorbent sheet products 30, and thatonly a section of the outer panel that is interfolded between the firstand second outer panel of an adjacent absorbent sheet product 30 may beinserted therein.

There is provided a method for folding and stacking absorbent sheetproducts 30 in order to achieve the above-described stacked and foldedconfigurations.

Referring to FIG. 1, the method of folding the absorbent sheet product30 comprises folding the absorbent sheet product 30 inwardly, along afirst folding line corresponding to the first folding edge 33, to form afirst inner panel 31. The method also comprises folding the absorbentsheet product 30 inwardly, along a second folding line corresponding tothe second folding edge 34, to form a second inner panel 32. The firstand second folding lines are substantially parallel to one another. Themethod may also comprise folding the absorbent sheet product 30 along athird folding line corresponding to the third folding edge 38. The thirdfolding line is perpendicular to the first and second folding lines andforms a first outer panel and a second outer panel. When an absorbentsheet product 30 is folded according to the present method, a section ofthe inner panels 31, 32 of the first outer panel 36 faces a section ofthe inner panels, 31, 32 of the second outer panel 37.

The method of folding the absorbent sheet product 30, may also compriseconfiguring the first and second folding line, such that the first 31and second 32 inner panels are provided with a gap in between (as shownin FIG. 1), partially overlap each other (as shown in FIG. 2), entirelyoverlap each other (as shown in FIG. 4) or such that the first innerpanel 31 completely overlaps the second inner panel 32, while the secondinner panel 32 partially overlaps the first inner panel 31 (as shown inFIG. 3).

The method of folding the absorbent sheet product 30, may also compriseconfiguring the third folding line, such that the first 36 and second 37outer panels are of a similar height (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5) or ofdifferent heights (as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12).

The method of folding the absorbent sheet product 30 may also comprisefolding the absorbent sheet along a fourth folding line corresponding tothe fourth folding edge 48. The fourth folding line is perpendicular tothe first and second folding lines and forms a third outer panel 70. Inan embodiment, the fourth folding line is provided on the outer panel ofgreater length; however one skilled in the art will understand thatalternatively it could be provided on the outer panel of lesser length.

Subsequent to the folding of the absorbent sheet products 30, the methodof stacking the absorbent sheet products 30 comprises stacking aplurality of absorbent sheet products 30 either simply on top of oneanother (as shown on FIGS. 22 to 24) or in an interfold configuration(as shown in FIGS. 6 and 18 to 21). When the absorbent sheet products 30are stacked in an interfold configuration, the method comprisesinterfolding at least a section of one of the outer panels 36, 37 of anabsorbent sheet product 30 between the first 36 and second 37 outerpanels of each corresponding adjacent absorbent sheet product 30 of thestack 50.

It will be understood that all of the above mentioned variantsconcerning the possible embodiments of the absorbent sheet products 30and the stack 50 apply to the method of folding and stacking theabsorbent sheet products 30. It will be appreciated that the methodsdescribed herein may be performed in the described order, or in anysuitable order.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above areintended to be exemplary only. A person skilled in the art wouldappreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possiblecombinations and variations of the components. A person skilled in theart would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could beprovided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein.It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. Thepresent examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notto be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while thespecific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerousmodifications come to mind without significantly departing from thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A stack of interfolded absorbent sheetproducts comprising a plurality of absorbent sheets having an inner faceand an opposed outer face, each of the absorbent sheets comprising: afirst folding edge and a second folding edge extending substantiallyparallel to one another along a first axis and defining respectively afirst inner panel and a second inner panel, each of the absorbent sheetsbeing folded inwardly along the first and the second folding edgestowards the inner face with the first inner panel and the second innerpanel being folded towards one another, each of the absorbent sheetsbeing unfolded along the first axis between the first folding edge andthe second folding edge; and a third folding edge extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the first and the second folding edges,bisecting each of the absorbent sheets, and defining a first outer paneland a second outer panel, each of the absorbent sheets being foldedalong the third folding edge such that the first and the second innerpanels are inwardly facing; wherein at least one of the first and thesecond outer panels is at least partially inserted between the first andthe second outer panels of an adjacent one of the absorbent sheetproducts of the stack.
 2. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheetproducts of claim 1, wherein the first and the second folding edges areconfigured to provide a gap between the first and the second innerpanels.
 3. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products of claim 1,wherein each one of the first and the second inner panels comprises afree outer edge and the free outer edges of the first and the secondinner panels are contiguous to one another when folded inwardly alongthe first and the second folding edges.
 4. The stack of interfoldedabsorbent sheet products of claim 1, wherein the first and the secondinner panels at least partially overlap when folded inwardly along thefirst and the second folding edges.
 5. The stack of absorbent sheetproducts of claim 1, wherein a free outer edge of the second inner panelis contiguous to the first folding edge.
 6. The stack of interfoldedabsorbent sheet product of claim 5, wherein the first inner panelcomprises a free outer edge, the free outer edge of the first panelbeing contiguous to the second folding edge or extending past the secondinner panel.
 7. A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet productscomprising a plurality of absorbent sheets, each one of the absorbentsheets being folded twice about a first axis to define two inwardlyfolded inner panels folded respectively along a first folding edge and asecond folding edge, and at least once about a second axis,substantially perpendicular to the first axis, to define at least twoouter panels sandwiching the inner panels therebetween and wherein theat least two outer panels comprise a first outer panel and a secondouter panel separated by a third folding edge bisecting each one of theabsorbent sheets, the first folding edge and the second folding edgebeing spaced-apart from one another along the second axis and each ofthe absorbent sheets being unfolded along the first axis between thefirst folding edge and the second folding edge, wherein each of theabsorbent sheet products comprises at least one of the outer panels atleast partially sandwiched between a pair of the outer panels of anadjacent one of the absorbent sheet products of the stack, wherein eachone of the absorbent sheet products is entirely detached from all otherabsorbent sheet products of the stack.
 8. The stack of interfoldedabsorbent sheet products of claim 7, wherein the inwardly folded innerpanels extend substantially parallel to one another.
 9. The stack ofinterfolded absorbent sheet products of claim 7, wherein the inwardlyfolded inner panels are spaced-apart from one another to define a gaptherebetween.
 10. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products ofclaim 7, wherein each of the inwardly folded inner panels has an outeredge and the outer edges of the inwardly folded inner panels arecontiguous to one another.
 11. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheetproducts of claim 7, wherein the inwardly folded inner panels are atleast partially superposed.
 12. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheetproducts of claim 7, wherein a first one of the inwardly folded innerpanels is superposed to a second one of the inwardly folded inner panelsalong an entire width thereof.
 13. The stack of interfolded absorbentsheet products of claim 12, wherein a first one of the inner panels isfolded inwardly along a first folding edge and a free outer edge of asecond one of the inner panels is substantially contiguous to the firstfolding edge.
 14. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products ofclaim 13, wherein the second inner panel is folded inwardly along asecond folding edge and a free outer edge of the first inner panel issubstantially contiguous to the second folding edge.
 15. The stack ofinterfolded absorbent sheet products of claim 7, wherein each one of theabsorbent sheets is folded twice about the second axis to define a thirdouter panel.
 16. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products ofclaim 7, wherein each one of the absorbent sheets comprises at least sixpanels separated by folding edges extending along one of the first andthe second axes.
 17. A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet productscomprising a plurality of absorbent sheets having an inner face and anopposed outer face, each of the absorbent sheets comprising: a firstfolding edge and a second folding edge extending substantially parallelto one another along a first axis and defining respectively a firstinner panel and a second inner panel, each of the absorbent sheets beingfolded inwardly along the first and the second folding edges towards theinner face with the first inner panel and the second inner panel beingfolded towards one another, each of the absorbent sheets being unfoldedalong the first axis between the first folding edge and the secondfolding edge; and a third folding edge extending substantiallyperpendicular to the first and the second folding edges and defining afirst outer panel and a second outer panel with the first outer panelextending past the second outer panel, each of the absorbent sheetsbeing folded along the third folding edge such that the first and thesecond inner panels are inwardly facing; wherein at least one of thefirst and the second outer panels is at least partially inserted betweenthe first and the second outer panels of an adjacent one of theabsorbent sheet products of the stack.
 18. The stack of interfoldedabsorbent sheet products of claim 17, wherein each of the absorbentsheets further comprises a fourth folding edge defined in the firstouter panel and extending substantially parallel to the third foldingedge, the absorbent sheets being folded along the fourth folding edge todefine a third outer panel.
 19. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheetproducts of claim 17, wherein the first and the second folding edges areconfigured to provide a gap between the first and the second innerpanels.
 20. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products of claim17, wherein each one of the first and the second inner panels comprisesa free outer edge and the free outer edges of the first and the secondinner panels are contiguous to one another when folded inwardly alongthe first and the second folding edges.
 21. The stack of interfoldedabsorbent sheet products of claim 17, wherein the first and the secondinner panels at least partially overlap when folded inwardly along thefirst and the second folding edges.
 22. The stack of absorbent sheetproducts of claim 17, wherein a free outer edge of the second innerpanel is contiguous to the first folding edge.
 23. The stack ofinterfolded absorbent sheet product of claim 22, wherein the first innerpanel comprises a free outer edge, the free outer edge of the firstpanel being contiguous to the second folding edge or extending past thesecond inner panel.
 24. A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet productscomprising a plurality of absorbent sheets, each one of the absorbentsheets being folded twice about a first axis to define two inwardlyfolded inner panels folded respectively along a first folding edge and asecond folding edge, and at least once about a second axis,substantially perpendicular to the first axis, to define at least twoouter panels sandwiching the inner panels therebetween, the at least twoouter panels comprise a first outer panel and a second outer panel withthe first outer panel extending past the second outer panel, the firstfolding edge and the second folding edge being spaced-apart from oneanother along the second axis and each of the absorbent sheets beingunfolded along the first axis between the first folding edge and thesecond folding edge, wherein each of the absorbent sheet productscomprises at least one outer panel at least partially sandwiched betweena pair of outer panels of an adjacent one of the absorbent sheetproducts of the stack, wherein each one of the absorbent sheet productsis entirely detached from all other absorbent sheet products of thestack.
 25. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products of claim24, wherein the inwardly folded inner panels extend substantiallyparallel to one another and are spaced-apart from one another to definea gap therebetween.
 26. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheetproducts of claim 24, wherein each of the inwardly folded inner panelshas an outer edge and the outer edges of the inwardly folded innerpanels are contiguous to one another.
 27. The stack of interfoldedabsorbent sheet products of claim 24, wherein the inwardly folded innerpanels extend substantially parallel to one another and are at leastpartially superposed.
 28. The stack of interfolded absorbent sheetproducts of claim 24, wherein a first one of the inwardly folded innerpanels is superposed to a second one of the inwardly folded inner panelsalong an entire width thereof.
 29. The stack of interfolded absorbentsheet products of claim 24, wherein the first outer panel is foldedalong the second axis to define a third outer panel.
 30. A stack ofinterfolded absorbent sheet products comprising a plurality of absorbentsheets, each one of the absorbent sheets being folded twice about afirst axis to define two inwardly folded inner panels foldedrespectively along a first folding edge and a second folding edge, andat least once about a second axis, substantially perpendicular to thefirst axis, to define at least two outer panels sandwiching the innerpanels therebetween, the first folding edge and the second folding edgebeing spaced-apart from one another along the second axis and each ofthe absorbent sheets being unfolded along the first axis between thefirst folding edge and the second folding edge, wherein each of theabsorbent sheet products comprises at least one outer panel at leastpartially sandwiched between a pair of outer panels of an adjacent oneof the absorbent sheet products of the stack, wherein each one of theabsorbent sheet products is entirely detached from all other absorbentsheet products of the stack and each one of the absorbent sheetsconsists of six panels separated by folding edges extending along one ofthe first and the second axes.